This Eggplant Parmesan Will Be Your New Meatless Monday Staple

What's not to love about melted cheese with eggplant and tomato sauce?

Get more Spoon in your feed.

Get Spoon University delivered to you

You tryna be tricky? That email doesn't look right.

The day my friend Chloe showed me how to make a simple, healthier version of eggplant parmesan my life was changed. Since then, it has become one of my staple meals at home. This vegetarian dish is not only good for the world and good for my health, but also good for my wallet.

This recipe can be served as a main with a fresh baguette, pasta, or as a side for a potluck. When I make this eggplant parmesan with pasta I start by tossing al dente pasta with tomato sauce. Then, I pour the pasta into a baking pan and finish the dish with layers of eggplant, cheese and sauce.

In the recipe, I used a homemade tomato sauce, but you can always buy sauce if you are in a rush. Parmesan Reggiano may be expensive; however a little goes a long way, and it is a worthwhile investment. I like using mozzarella to layer as it melts into ooey gooey deliciousness and grate parmesan on to the top, which develops a beautiful crust as it browns in the oven.

Eggplant Parmesan

Prep Time:5 minutes

Cook Time:35 minutes

Total Time:40 minutes

Servings:2

Medium

Ingredients

1 eggplant

1 cup tomato sauce

1/4 cup flour

1 teaspoon fine Italian herbs

1/4 cup mozzarella, grated

Parmesan reggiano, grated

Chili flakes (optional)

Salt

Pepper

Olive oil

Photo by Helena Lin

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400ºF.

Step 2

Cut the eggplant into 1/2 cm slices.

Photo by Helena Lin

Step 3

In a bowl, combine the flour, fine Italian herbs, and season with salt and pepper.

#SpoonTip: if you are hesitant about your seasoning abilities, season the slices of eggplant with salt and pepper individually and combine the flour with just the fine Italian herbs

Photo by Helena Lin

Step 4

Coat each slice of eggplant with the seasoned flour.

Photo by Helena Lin

Step 5

In a pan over medium high heat, sear the slices of eggplant in a little olive oil until lightly browned on each side.

Photo by Helena Lin

Step 6

In an oven proof pan or dish, add a layer of tomato sauce.

Optional: add some chili flakes to the tomato sauce.

Photo by Helena Lin

Step 7

Place down a layer of eggplant, cover in some tomato sauce, and sprinkle on mozzarella cheese.

Photo by Helena Lin

Step 8

For the last layer of eggplant, grate on a generous portion of parmesan reggiano cheese.